Upendra Rao known mononymously as Upendra, is an Indian filmmaker, actor and politician known for his work in Kannada cinema. He started his film career under actor and film director Kashinath, as a writer and an assistant director. His first directorial venture was Tharle Nan Maga.
In the mid 1990s Upendra directed Om, which portrayed actual Bangalore gangsters, followed by A, which was his debut film as an actor.